Archaeological Investigations at Yourhaney Plantation (38GE18)

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT YOURHANEY PLANTATION165While this creature occasionally will feed during the day, it is predominately active around duskand at night (Lowery 1974:419). Raccoons range in weight from 5.44-21.77 kg, with some malesreaching 28.12 kg (Rue 1981:97; Whitaker 1980:563). The breeding season for raccoons isDecember to January with the young born in late April to early May (Lowery 1974:418).Fox and grey squirrels were both found at the site. The fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) inhabits oakforest, mixed forest, cypress swamp, or pine forests (Whitaker 1980: 492-3). Eastern greysquirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are typically found in hardwood or mixed forest environments(Whitaker 1980: 488).Several remains from rodents were identified in the assemblage. While not identified to a species,the size indicates that they came from rats. It is possible that these could have been eaten, but it ismore likely that they represent commensal taxa. The rubbish from the site would have attractedvermin of many sorts, which could have become buried there or, in some cases, eaten.REPTILESThe Turtle Family (Emydidae) is comprised of several species of aquatic turtles including southernpainted turtles, chicken turtles, false map turtles, and cooters. Two terrestrial turtles, the three-toedbox turtle and ornate box turtle, also belong in this family. When at rest, the aquatic species tendto favor basking on logs or other available surfaces. At times, basking spots will become socrowded that individuals will pile on top of one another. When approached the entire cluster slipsinto the water out of harm’s way. In order to harvest these turtles, nets, placed next to thesebasking areas, may have allowed for a mass capture with minimal effort (Jackson 1986: 221).Remains of several turtles were found at the site.BIRDSTurkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was the only bird positively identified to species. It is possible thatthis individual is the domesticated variety, but just as likely that the species was hunted. The wildvariety is typically found in pine-oak forests, cypress swamps, and oak hickory forests (Kaufman1996: 156-7).FISHThe following section provides a discussion of the habitats and characteristics of the fish speciesthat were identified at the site.The bowfin (Amia calva) is one type of fish that flourishes in stagnant environments. This primitivefish has an air bladder that allows it to comfortably exist in water that other fish cannot tolerate(McClane 1978: 178). They generally prefer environments with large amounts of vegetation andno current, spawning between April and June (McClane 1978: 178). It has been noted that, whilethey prey predominately on smaller fish (80 percent of their diet), the remainder consists of crayfish(McClane 1978: 178).